At long last - a fleamarket find

I went for a bit of a roadtrip with SWMBO yesterday to a small town not far from Ottawa. No luck in the antique stores, but I did see a few folks with some tables set up just off the main street. One of the sellers had a bunch of frowny Bokers, a couple of beat-up mystery razors, and one diamond in the rough:

It's a 7/8 W&B:

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Normally the older razors I have picked up have had such badly damages scales that I chuck them and start from scratch. These, however, I'd like to save. In addition to the writing on the front side, they are in relatively good shape with one exception: the back side near the pivot looks to have some de-lamination of the horn. Hopefully some searching of the workshop archives will give me some ideas how to deal with that. I'm definitely open to suggestions though. :)

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After taking a potshot at the antique stores and flea markets in this part of the world a few weeks ago, I'm happy to admit that I was wrong - there are good finds to be had around here after all

Sweet! Maybe I should take a potshot at the antique stores here so I can find myself a nice W & B!! :)

Looks like it should clean up beautifully!! Keep us posted!

Nice! I too have been hitting the shops looking for such a find... No luck here yet!

Looks like a real honey! Those scales are awesome! I want to find one of those really big smiling choppers one day. I've found some good blades, but not a big one line that yet. Congrats!

Thanks guys :)

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Originally Posted by maddafinga

I want to find one of those really big smiling choppers one day.

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The bad thing about them is that they can become seriously addictive. Once I get this one ready to use (and another couple others on their way from the bay: another W&B and a Greaves) I'll pretty much have my "big honkin' hunks of mid-19th century Sheffield steel" 7-day set. :)

Nice find :)

Try soaking the scales in oil to retain the moisture, I think you will need to sand down those loose flakes, but they shouls still be salvageable.

I've used almond oil (simply because I have some left from when I restored guitars) and let the scales soak for 24-48 hours before cleaning and sanding, worked out pretty well.

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Originally Posted by Zephyr

Nice find :)

Try soaking the scales in oil to retain the moisture, I think you will need to sand down those loose flakes, but they shouls still be salvageable.

I've used almond oil (simply because I have some left from when I restored guitars) and let the scales soak for 24-48 hours before cleaning and sanding, worked out pretty well.

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Many thanks! They are soaking in Neetsfoot oil as I type this. :) Normally making scales is half the fun for me, but I definitely want to try to save these.

Great find, Cangooner! I've been seeing quite a few W & B's here lately, and they do hold a certain attraction for me. Guess I'll have to start looking for one around my home.

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Great find, Cangooner! I've been seeing quite a few W & B's here lately, and they do hold a certain attraction for me. Guess I'll have to start looking for one around my home.

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Merci. :)

For me it's not just the W&B name but rather the shape and weight of the things. My favourite shaver at the moment is very similar in size and shape to this one, but it's a Joseph Wolstenholm Ebro near-wedge. Currently in 2nd place is another W&B almost identical to this one. I just love the heavier blades, I suppose. :) Between those and my Tally-Ho, I haven't used a full hollow ground blade for weeks.

Cangooner --
Are you going to leave the patina on the blade, or go for a mirror finish?

She's a looker! Congrats.

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Cangooner --
Are you going to leave the patina on the blade, or go for a mirror finish?

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I'm a fan of the patina on older blades so I won't be polishing this one too much. I think when I finally decide to sell some of my restorations, I'll have mirror finish as an option for buyers. But since this one's for me, it will have patina.

Now, if I could just find a way to have it spalted...

:)

Spalted!!! :rofl2: Don't make me laugh too much 'cause I'm really hungover!

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

Now, if I could just find a way to have it spalted...

:)

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You got some time...

Spalt Your Own Lumber - Fine Woodworking Article

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Originally Posted by earcutter

You got some time...

Spalt Your Own Lumber - Fine Woodworking Article

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"Most fungal spores are about as harmful to a healthy adult as wood dust..."
Try breathing in a bucketful and let us know how long you live afterwards.

Great find! Look forward to seeing the restored pictures!

Very nice find! Looks like she should clean up real nice and be a fine shaver. Nice looking scales as well. Congrats :)

Nice catch!

Wife and I spent 5 hours wandering around antique malls (I HATE THOSE PLACES but the old antique stores are getting fewer and farther between) and found NOTHING but over priced rusted down junk.

Oh well, I'm still trying to beat my neighbor TOPCAT's find of an 8/8 W&B for five bucks a while back. He set the bar pretty high on that one. LOL

Here's the latest pics.

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Thanks for the tips Rune! I'm off to hone it up and try it out. :)

Ohhhh man, thats right up my alley.... Those scales are sweet!

Eric.

Gotta love finding a razor like that with such beautiful scales. Grats.

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

Here's the latest pics.

Thanks for the tips Rune! I'm off to hone it up and try it out. :)

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It turned out beautifully, you did a great job :nj

You're very welcome, just happy to help :)

Great find and a very nice outcome, looking good.

Jamie.

Awesome job!!! W&B's are awesome looking razors. You just made me search for some antique stores around me, I need to hit them up soon!